The term “soccer” has a history full of rich culture rooted in late 19th-century England, where it was introduced to differentiate association football from rugby football.
While on the other hand “football” became the dominant term in most parts of the world, countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia adopted “soccer” to avoid confusion with their own versions of football.
In this article, we examine the origins, evolution, and regional differences in the use of “soccer” versus “football,” exploring the cultural impacts and significance of these terminologies on global sports.
Understanding the Term “Soccer”
Where Did “Soccer” Come From?
Back in the late 1880s, some inventive students from the University of Oxford started calling association football “soccer” to set it apart from rugby football, which they nicknamed “rugger.” The term quickly caught on, but in Britain, “soccer” never really became the common name for the sport (Britannica).
| Term | Origin | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer | University of Oxford, UK | 1880s |
| Rugger | University of Oxford, UK | 1880s |
How “Soccer” Spread Around the World
In the late 18th century in the United States of America, “soccer” gained popularity. The sport was a mixture of rugby and association football elements.
Later in 1945, the United States Football Association renamed itself the United States Soccer Football Association, and later dropped “football” entirely. This made “soccer” the go-to name for the sport in the USA(Britannica).
While in other countries like Canada, Ireland, and Australia also use “soccer” to avoid confusion with their own football versions, like Gaelic football, gridiron football, and Australian rules football (Britannica).
| Country | Preferred Term | Competing Football Codes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Soccer | American Football |
| Canada | Soccer | Canadian Football |
| Ireland | Soccer | Gaelic Football |
| Australia | Soccer | Australian Rules Football |
The term “soccer” was first used in late 19th-century England to tell apart different versions of football, which didn’t follow any standard rules back then (TIME).
Elite boys in England used the terms “rugger” and “soccer” to differentiate Rugby Football from Association Football. Sources say that “Soccer” was well-known in England through the first half of the 20th century and became more popular after World War II (TIME).
Want to know more about “soccer” or “football”? Check out our articles on should I say soccer or football? and which countries call it soccer vs football?.
Popularity and Regional Differences
Regional Terminology Preferences
Have you ever thought about why Americans used the term “soccer” while on the other hand the rest of the world calls it with “football”? Let me elaborate for you.
If you look back back in the late 19th century, the United States of America had its own version of football, a mix of rugby To eliminate confusion, Americans called used the term “soccer” (Britannica).
Later on this term became popular, especially after the United States Football Association changed its name to the United States Soccer Football Association in 1945.
Over the pond, in Europe, “football” is supreme. Surprisingly, “soccer” originated in England and was used synonymously with “football” until the late 1980s.
However, the British stopped calling “soccer” as the sport increased in popularity in the U.S., in order to differentiate themselves from American cultural influence.
Here’s a quick look at what folks call the sport in different places:
| Region | Preferred Term |
|---|---|
| United States | Soccer |
| Canada | Soccer |
| United Kingdom | Football |
| Australia | Soccer |
| Europe (most countries) | Football |
Influence on Global Sports Culture
The regional differences in terminology do more than just confuse fans – they influence the way the sport is marketed and viewed. In the U.S.A. and Canada, calling it “soccer” can confuse international fans who are used to “football.” Despite the name game, the sport itself is a global connect.
Soccer in America started over 200 years ago when English immigrants gained popularity through college competitions. Immigrants further boosted its popularity, leading to factory teams and local leagues.
Soccer’s popularity in the U.S. has interesting cultural side effects. It’s changed family relationships, reshaped community resources, and prepared young people for life in unique ways. The sport promotes teamwork, individual creativity, and physical skills that set it apart from other American sports.
Even on the global stage, terminology matters. FIFA, the sport’s governing body, uses “football” in its official name, sticking to the international norm.
Grasping these regional differences and their cultural impacts helps us appreciate the diverse ways soccer/football is celebrated worldwide. For a deeper dive into which countries call it what, head over to our guide on which countries call it soccer vs football?.
